The genetics and genomics of Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi is a kinetoplastid parasite that causes Chagas disease. Trypanosomes are unusual organisms in many aspects of its genetics and molecular and cellular biology and considered a paradigm of the exception of the rule in the eukaryotic kingdom. The complete genome sequence of T. cruzi was published in 2005, thus, providing a major tool to the understanding of several of his unusual aspects. However, with so many different mechanisms between the parasite and its mammalian host there is still a lack of availability of effective antiparasitic drugs or disease treatments, specially in the chronic phase. This review highlights the fundamentals of the fasci- nating genetics and genomics of T. cruzi with emphasis in the differential mechanisms that could provide interesting therapeutic targets.